Contact details

Pedram Norton

T: +65 6622 9651 Email Pedram | vCard Office: Singapore

Awards

Up and coming individual for Shipping: International: Finance - Singapore

Up and coming individual for Shipping: International: Finance - Singapore

Recommended lawyer for Banking and finance: Singapore

Recommended lawyer for Banking and finance: Singapore

Next generation partner for Shipping: Singapore and Asset finance: Singapore

Next generation partner for Shipping: Singapore and Asset finance: Singapore

Pedram Norton Partner

Contact details

Pedram Norton

Pedram Norton
Partner

T: +65 6622 9651 Email Pedram | vCard Office: Singapore

Pedram is a partner in our market leading shipping and offshore finance team in Singapore. He has ten years' experience and specialises in advising banks, funds and ship-owners on a broad range of syndicated and bilateral financings, leasing transactions and restructurings throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Pedram has built a strong reputation with clients who value his approachability, commercial solutions, attention to detail and dedication to getting the deal done.
  • Profile
  • Services
  • Sectors

Based in the firm’s Singapore office since 2011, Pedram’s experience covers a wide variety of asset finance and leasing transactions in the shipping and offshore sectors, advising financial institutions, private equity funds, owners and operators on matters including syndicated and bilateral term loan and revolving credit facilities, pre- and post-delivery vessel financings, secured, unsecured and export credit agency-backed financings, re-financings, secondary trade transactions, restructurings and workouts, sale and leasebacks and seller’s credit arrangements, limited recourse and guarantee financings.

Pedram also has particular expertise assisting ship-owners with vessel registrations, re-flaggings, re-domiciliation, ship sale and purchase transactions, newbuild financings, fleet refinancings, joint ventures and chartering.

On the banking and finance side, Pedram has led teams on a number of significant loan portfolio transfer projects and shipping portfolio sales. On the restructuring/work-outs side, he has advised international banks on the high-profile Hanjin Shipping bankruptcy in Korea which involved enforcement action including the arrest and auction of vessels in a number of jurisdictions, as well as certain schemes of arrangement in respect of a number of well-known Singapore-based ship-owners.

Pedram has spent time on secondment with a leading bank in the transport sector and trained in Stephenson Harwood's London office.

"Pedram is able to strike a strong balance between commercial and legal considerations. He brings great value to our organization."

Chambers Asia Pacific 2023

  • Shipping
  • Ship and offshore finance
  • Restructuring and insolvency
  • Finance

ECA-backed financing

Acting for a syndicate of 3 European banks in loans covering 12 bulk carriers under construction, a number of which loans are backed by the Sinosure credit policy, involving a novel cross-collateralisation structure devised by us for the transaction.

Pre and post-delivery financing

Acting for a syndicate of 5 international banks in the pre and post-delivery finance of eight bulk carriers for Berge Bulk for loans in excess of US$300 million.

Sale and leaseback with bridge loan facility for major Korean operator

Acting for the Hong Kong branch of an international bank in connection with operating lease transactions with a value in excess of US$200 million for companies within the Sinokor group (a Korean company). This was pre-funded by a bridge facility to fund pre-delivery instalments as part of a complicated resale structure which were escrowed until delivery.

More: Shipping

Sale and leasebacks with financing

Acting for a well-known international bank with respect to the sale and leaseback with financing of six LPG gas carriers to a well-known shipping focused investment entity and six offshore support vessels involving various companies in the Bourbon offshore group.

Sale and leaseback with bridge loan facility for major Korean operator

Acting for the Hong Kong branch of an international bank in connection with operating lease transactions with a value in excess of US$200 million for companies within the Sinokor group. This was pre-funded by a bridge facility to fund pre-delivery instalments as part of a complicated resale structure which were escrowed until delivery.

ECA-backed financing

Acting for a syndicate of 3 European banks in loans covering 12 bulk carriers under construction, a number of which Loans are backed by a Sinosure credit policy, involving a novel cross-collateralisation structure devised by us for the transaction.

Pre and post-delivery financing

Acting for a syndicate of 5 international banks in the pre and post-delivery finance of eight bulk carriers for Berge Bulk for loans in excess of US$300 million.

Post-delivery financing with FOREX transactions pre-delivery

Acting for a syndicate of 3 European Banks in loans covering 7 LPG vessels under construction at Japanese yards for various Singapore companies owned by a BVI listed entity.

Post-delivery Financing with intercreditor agreement

Acting for the Singapore Branch of a German bank in the post-delivery financing with subordinated junior financing of one platform supply vessel owned by a Dutch company and guaranteed by an Indian company.

More: Ship and offshore finance

Korean rehabilitation

Acted for a well-known German transport bank on various finances granted to various vessel owning companies operating under the Pan Ocean banner following the application by Pan Ocean for rehabilitation in the Korean courts. This involved complex issues requiring careful consideration resulting in the sale/taking back of certain vessels including a skid barge stationed in China.

Loan restructuring

Acting for the Singapore branch of a Norwegian headquartered bank on the restructuring of a US$270 million loan facility to four Hong Kong incorporated borrowers in respect of four capesize bulkers following termination of the underlying bareboat charters.

Malaysian scheme of arrangement

Acting for a shipping focused investment vehicle in the termination of various bareboat charters by a Malaysian operator terminating its container business, ship arrest and ultimate sale of the vessels.

Loan restructuring

Acting for a European bank on restructuring a loan facility made to a Singapore company which is a wholly owned subsidiary of a Thai listed entity (which also acts as guarantor). The original facility was advanced to finance the acquisition costs of three Singapore flagged bulk carriers and the restructuring involved, in addition to amending the repayment profile and LTV coverage, adding two further Singapore flagged bulk carriers as collateral security. 

More: Restructuring and insolvency

Corporate finance

Representing financial institutions on loan facilities to shipping corporates including syndicated loan facilities for a "hunting licence".

Transfer of a bank's loan portfolio

Acting for the Singapore branch of a European bank in connection with the transfer of its shipping, offshore and energy loan portfolio involving the transfer of approximately US$6 billion of loans advanced pursuant to approximately 160 separate financings.

Container box financing

Acting for a German transport bank in connection with the financing of a number of container boxes for a leading container leasing company based in Hong Kong.

More: Finance
  • Offshore
  • Banks and banking

Sale and leasebacks with financing

Acting for a well-known international bank with respect to the sale and leaseback with financing of six LPG gas carriers to a well-known shipping focused investment entity and six offshore support vessels involving various companies in the Bourbon offshore group.

Post-delivery financing with intercreditor agreement

Acting for the Singapore branch of a German bank in the post-delivery financing with subordinated junior financing of one platform supply vessel owned by a Dutch company and guaranteed by an Indian company.

Post-delivery financing with FOREX transactions pre-delivery

Acting for a syndicate of 3 European Banks in loans covering 7 LPG vessels under construction at Japanese yards for various Singapore companies owned by a BVI listed entity.

Semi-submersible drilling rig

Acting for the proposed owner of a semi-submersible drilling rig including its financing arrangements and the proposed time charter with a Thai stated owned oil and gas company.

More: Offshore

Corporate finance

Representing financial institutions on loan facilities to shipping corporates including syndicated loan facilities for a "hunting licence".

Container box financing

Acting for a German transport bank in connection with the financing of a number of container boxes for a leading container leasing company based in Hong Kong.

Transfer of a bank's loan portfolio

Acting for the Singapore branch of a European bank in connection with the transfer of its shipping, offshore and energy loan portfolio involving the transfer of approximately US$6 billion of loans advanced pursuant to approximately 160 separate financings.

More: Banks and banking

Awards

Up and coming individual for Shipping: International: Finance - Singapore

Up and coming individual for Shipping: International: Finance - Singapore

Recommended lawyer for Banking and finance: Singapore

Recommended lawyer for Banking and finance: Singapore

Next generation partner for Shipping: Singapore and Asset finance: Singapore

Next generation partner for Shipping: Singapore and Asset finance: Singapore

Latest news & insights

13 Jun 2023

From News

Stephenson Harwood (Singapore) Alliance advises ABN AMRO Bank and CACIB on US$160 million sustainability-linked loan

Stephenson Harwood (Singapore) Alliance has advised ABN AMRO Bank N.V. and Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank (CACIB) on a US$160 million sustainability-lin..

More

26 Apr 2023

From News

Stephenson Harwood (Singapore) Alliance advises Standard Chartered Bank and E.SUN Commercial Bank on JOLCOs

Stephenson Harwood (Singapore) Alliance has advised Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) and E.SUN Commercial Bank Ltd (ESUN) on two separate Japanese Operating Lease with Ca..

More

14 Apr 2023

From News

Stephenson Harwood (Singapore) Alliance advises Straitsman Limited on passenger ferry sale

Stephenson Harwood (Singapore) Alliance has advised Straitsman Limited, a subsidiary of New Zealand-based StraitsNZ Limited (StraitsNZ), on the sale of a Ro-Ro/Passeng..

More

22 Dec 2022

From News

Stephenson Harwood (Singapore) Alliance advises BNP Paribas on two JOLCOs

Stephenson Harwood (Singapore) Alliance has advised BNP Paribas (BNPP) on two Japanese Operating Leases with Call Options (JOLCOs) financing structures, as part of BNP..

More

02 Dec 2022

From News

Stephenson Harwood advises StraitNZ subsidiary on new purchase

Law firm Stephenson Harwood LLP has advised StraitNZ Limited's (StraitNZ) New Zealand subsidiary, Ferry Lines Limited, on its purchase of a Ro-Ro/Passenger MV Connemar..

More

26 Apr 2022

From News

Stephenson Harwood promotes ten to partnership

Law firm Stephenson Harwood LLP has promoted ten lawyers to its partnership, effective from 1 May 2022.

More

17 Dec 2021

From News

Stephenson Harwood (Singapore) Alliance advises on BW Epic Kosan financing

Stephenson Harwood (Singapore) Alliance has advised Nordea Bank on a US$34.27 million secured loan facility to part finance three vessels acquired by BW Epic Kosan.

More

25 Nov 2021

From Insights

The Shipping News on Thursdays

Starting on Thursday 14 October 2021, we will be running a series of shipping-focused webinars every Thursday at 5pm, Singapore | 9am, London | 1pm, Dubai | 6pm, Seou..

More

20 Apr 2021

From News

Stephenson Harwood advises banks on restructuring and facility exit involving four vessels

Law firm Stephenson Harwood (Singapore) Alliance has advised a syndicate comprising three banks on a restructuring, and eventual prepayment, of a loan facility in resp..

More

23 Mar 2021

From News

Stephenson Harwood advises on US$155 million fleet facility as part of Epic Gas and Lauritzen Kosan combination

Law firm Stephenson Harwood (Singapore) Alliance has advised SEB, and a syndicate comprising five banks and financial institutions, on a US$155 million loan facility t..

More

06 Aug 2020

From Insights

Green shoots: the rise of the green finance revolution

Despite stiff competition from Brexit and Covid-19, climate change remains a topic never far away from the news headlines.

More

04 Jun 2020

From News

Stephenson Harwood (Singapore) Alliance advises on ‘virtual’ vessel sales

Stephenson Harwood (Singapore) Alliance has advised an international bank, specialising in international transportation finance, on the sale of several vessel-owning s..

More

05 Nov 2019

From News

Stephenson Harwood advises on Epic Gas fleet refinancing

Stephenson Harwood (Singapore) Alliance has advised ABN AMRO and Crédit Agricole on the major refinancing of a portfolio of 20 ships for Epic Gas, involving a US$201 m..

More

print-footer
logo
© Stephenson Harwood LLP 2016. Any reference to Stephenson Harwood in this document means Stephenson Harwood LLP and/or its affiliated undertakings. Any reference to a partner is used to refer to a member of Stephenson Harwood LLP.